Written information on the Office of Special Events is nearly nonexistent. The office seems to have been founded in the mid-1960s. Known directors are John Synodinos (until 1966), Edward J. Golden, Jr. (1967-1969), Sherry B. Gill (1970-1994), and Mary Ellen Robinson.

The Office of Special Events is responsible for the planning, coordinating and publicizing of most University-sponsored events, as well as events geared toward public relations and community outreach. Typical activities carried out by the office in preparing for an event include setting up the physical plant (i.e., scheduling facilities, providing chairs, microphones, podiums, etc.), issuing invitations and publicity materials, attracting guest lecturers and artists, coordinating hotel reservations, hiring caterers, designing programs and schedules, and assisting other offices or student groups that may participate in an event.

Special Events sponsors a variety of cultural events art exhibits, concerts, dance performances, film festivals, poetry readings, and theater most of which are open to the public. Several endowed lecture series, featuring academics, journalists, and political figures, are administered by the office, as well as occasional non-endowed lectures. More purely academic activities include seminars and symposia in different fields. Special Events has coordinated the Baltimore Science Fair, Commemoration Day, Commencement, the Johns Hopkins Centennial celebrations, and the installation of new University presidents.